You may expect seeing all or a part of these signs and symptoms. Usually, your intuition as a parent is correct; trust yourself, as you know your child the most. The earlier you act, the better. Act now.
- Does your child fast and skip meals?
- Has your daughter missed two periods along with losing weight?
- Have you noticed binge eating? Are large amounts of food missing?
- Have you found laxatives or diet pills?
- Does your child excessively exercise?
- Has your child refused to eat non dietary foods?
- Have you noticed an extreme control over calorie intake and the meal portion itself?
- Does your child prefer eating on their own? Do they refuse to eat with the family?
- Has your child been possessively reading diet books? Looking for healthy, low calorie recipes? Demonstrating dietary behavior?
- Have you noticed a strong will to eat only healthy food? Restriction of certain food groups?
- Has your child visited eating disorder websites?
- Does your child suddenly decide to become vegetarian? Vegan?
- Have you noticed that your child keeps going to the bathroom, or frequently showers immediately after eating?
- Have you observed an unusual number of stomach flu episodes? What about frequent bouts of stomach pain?
- Has your child shared a fear of looking fat?
- Have you noticed a distorted perception of body, shape, or image?
- Did you notice your child get upset when someone comments on their appearance?
- Does your child have difficulty sleeping?
- Have you observed growth of soft and fine hair all over child’s body?
- Have you noticed any signs of self-harm?
- Have you noticed any signs of depression or suicidal ideations?
References:
- Bodell, L., Forney, K. J., Keel, P., Gutierrez, P., & Joiner, T. E. (2014). Consequences of making weight: A review of eating disorder symptoms and diagnoses in the United States military. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 21(4), 398–409. https://doi.org/10.1111/cpsp.12082
- Help Your Teenager Beat an Eating Disorder, Second Edition By James Lock, Daniel Le Grange · 2015
- Christian, C., Perko, V. L., Vanzhula, I. A., Tregarthen, J. P., Forbush, K. T., & Levinson, C. A. (2020). Eating disorder core symptoms and symptom pathways across developmental stages: A network analysis. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 129(2), 177–190. https://doi.org/10.1037/abn0000477
- Gonzalez A. Kohn M.R. Clarke S.D. Eating disorders in adolescents. Aust Fam Physician. 2007; 36: 614-619 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17676184/
- Solenberger S.E. Exercise and eating disorders: a 3-year inpatient hospital record analysis. Eat Behav. 2001; 2: 151-168 DOI: 10.1016/s1471-0153(01)00026-5
- Tanofsky-Kraff M. Binge eating among children and adolescents.in: Jelalian E. Steele R.G. Handbook of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity. Springer Science, New York20
- Laura M. Thornto et al. Anorexia Nervosa, Major Depression, and Suicide Attempts: Shared Genetic Factors. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4996767/
- Skills-based Learning for Caring for a Loved One with an Eating Disorder: The New Maudsley Method Second Edition By by Anna Crane, Gráinne Smith, and Janet Treasure